"We needed a skylight installed in our bathroom, and MMP did an excellent job--we are very happy with it! The team was friendly and worked quickly and efficiently to get it done before it got dark, and the quality of their work was excellent. Matt was very friendly and nice to communicate with as well, and always responded right away. I highly recommend MMP Construction to anyone looking for great quality work and excellent customer service."
"We engaged Bob Phalan of Phalan Construction to do a number of small to medium size projects in our home, including: building and installing stairs from the kitchen to garage, building/ finishing/ installing a stair handrail, building/ finishing/ installing doors for an existing kitchen cabinet, repairing 2 sinking decks, getting rid of squeaks in the floor, leveling a number of doors. Bob does excellent work, he really knows his stuff and is a master craftsman in all kinds of home projects, especially carpentry. We highly recommend Phalan Construction for many of your home repair/improvement projects! We definitely plan to use Phalan Construction for future projects."
"I hired Hess and Son to do some interior framing, insulation, and ceiling work on my new woodworking barn. These guys did an outstanding job. I have owned four houses in three states and have used many contractors. These guys are in the top 1%. Blaine and his team were prompt, professional, polite, and did wonderful work. They explained each step of the process so that I was always “in the loop,” made some good suggestions that saved me money, and even through in some “extras” for free that made the finished job nicer. The also coordinated everything with my electrician and garage door installer so that everyone was “singing from the same sheet of music,” which is vital when multiple trades are involved in a project. Long story short is that I highly recommend Hess and Son and am planning to use them for another project in the spring."
"The team did a fantastic job on my full home renovation. From start to finish, they were professional, punctual, and very detail-oriented. The quality of the craftsmanship is top-notch, and they kept the site clean throughout the process. I?m extremely happy with the final result. Highly recommended"
"I initially hired J M Begin Construction in January 2025 to renovate the 2nd floor of a 1930’s Cape Cod style home. Over the next several months the 2nd floor has been transformed into a very attractive and cozy heated two bedroom living quarters. J M Begin has proved to be exceptionally reliable, very attentive to my questions and concerns. His skill set acquired over many years experience in the building trades is outstanding. I would highly recommend J M Begin Construction."
"I hired Highland Home and Garden LLC to build a 10x12 storage shed for our property in Hopkinton, MA. And I am happy that I did! A good experience throughout, and a high quality result. Mike and his team are knowledgeable, friendly and dependable. And I would highly recommend them for any construction project."
"CP construction and carpenrty did a great job building a new deck for my family. I was kept in the loop during the building process. Most importantly the price was right and great workmanship. I will use CP construction again and I highly recommend. Thanks again guys, from Nigel."
"Thanks to Patrick for the excellent repairs done as needed and requested. Everything was professionally handled and expertly done. When I am asked for recommendations, GPW is who I will suggest."
Barndominium Builders questions, answered by experts
A steel frame costs 10% to 20% more than a wood frame. Wood is a much easier material to work with, more accessible, and generally more affordable than steel—plus, you need specialized tools to work with steel.
The difference between a pole barn and a stick-built barn is in the construction. Large poles in the ground provide support for pole barns. For stick-built barns, 2-by-4 or 2-by-6 lumber (known as sticks) create a frame around load-bearing beams. Stick-built construction is far more popular for residential homes. Pole barns are more cost-effective because they require fewer materials and less labor.
Pole barns and carports are similar in that they rely on posts for support and are often not connected to a primary structure. The main difference between the two is that pole barns usually include walls that surround the entire perimeter of the structure, while carports generally remain open on three or four sides. It’s possible to insulate garage doors and even exterior walls on pole barns to create a comfortable workspace, and it’s a bit more secure for storage purposes. However, carports are more affordable.
In the U.S., original and converted carriage houses are most often found in New England, New York, and other parts of the Northeast. New construction carriage houses can be found across the country, and are often added to properties with Colonial-style homes for additional living, storage, or work space, although they can be found in many different styles.
Generally speaking, building a swing set is cheaper than buying a prefabricated one, but this assumes you have all the tools and knowledge to complete the project. The average cost to build a swing set is $514, but you should also factor in the time and effort it will require—if you don’t want to give up your weekend, it’s worth considering buying instead of building.
The Northbridge, MA homeowners’ guide to barndominium building
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Garages increase curb appeal and have a high ROI. Use this guide to learn about the average cost to build a garage in Boston, MA, and budget for your project.
Find out the average custom closet cost in Boston, MA. Learn what you can expect to pay for local materials, labor, and installation to upgrade your storage.
